PROVIDENCE – On Wednesday, Brown University celebrated the launch of its new TRI-Lab community impact initiative, a campaign designed to “bring together students, faculty and community organizations to tackle pressing social issues.

TRI-Lab stands for “teaching, research and impact,” and will be piloted during the upcoming fall semester with a focus on healthy early childhood development.

The inaugural Lab will be co-chaired by Stephen Buka, Brown University professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology, and Rhode Island Kids Count Executive Director Elizabeth Burke Bryant.

“We expect this TRI-Lab to ask questions and develop interventions related to early education, home visiting, policy, legislation, cultural and language barriers, resource allocation, technology, behavioral economics, health communication, data access and usage, and more,” said the Brown University website.

Joining Buka and Bryant at the Wednesday morning launch festivities were: Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts, Brown University President Christina Paxon and Katherine Bergeron, dean of the college at Brown University.

The Swearer Center for Public Service has led the development of TRI-Lab, according to Brown, which added that the center sought input from faculty, community partners and students to develop the program’s structure.

In the future, each Lab will consist of a seminar for students to explore the focus area, research and internship opportunities with faculty and community partners and assistance in developing seed funding proposals that help advance solutions to the problem.

During the upcoming pilot session, up to 10 TRI-lab student participants will receive a $3,000 stipend and course credit for participating, as well as funding for research or fieldwork over the January break.

Get the most up-to-date data on the Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts business community from the PBN List Center. Download and purchase PBN Lists as well as the complete Book of Lists in Excel format.